As the semester comes to a close, the University of Memphis Student Government Association is making plans to cooperate with other SGAs from across the state in a united lobbying effort to increase educational funding.
Senior MIS major and speaker of the senate Will Hampton passed an act at the last SGA meeting that encouraged the U of M's senate to host a statewide convention in Nashville. Hampton said a convention would allow SGA representatives from both public and private schools in Tennessee to meet and discuss campus and state issues on a large scale. Hampton also said he hopes those attending the convention will dedicate a full day to lobbying for higher education funding.
"We would hold one huge joint senate meeting where legislation affecting schools statewide would be drafted," said Hampton. "When it comes to funding, we all care. Plus, all the senates are different. It would be advantageous for us to see how other senates deal with issues on their campuses."
U of M's SGA President James Rudolph, a senior business management major, is also working on statewide lobbying efforts. He has met with presidents from other TBR universities three times this semester. While there, the TBR President Council began planning what it hope will soon result in a letter writing campaign for higher education funding.
"We would like to see a constant bombardment of letters to every representative from all the SGAs, so that every time they turn around they get a reminder about funding," said Rudolph. "I think the letters would add a real personal touch to the issue."
The TBR President's Council is also planning a Capitol Hill Day. SGA presidents will spend a day in January lobbing for education funding. Rudolph said that Faculty Senate President Bill Gutzke and Staff Senate President Maurice Williams plan to join him.
"Funding is a problem for all of us," said Rudolph. "When all the schools are pointing fingers and saying 'we need more money than they do,' nothing gets done. We need make a unified attempt to get funding for everyone."
Rudolph said the U of M's three senate bodies -- student, staff and faculty -- are planning to hold a joint meeting early next semester to talk about campus issues that affect everyone.
As far as accomplishments made this semester, Rudolph said he has completed about 85 percent of what he intended to do. Some remaining projects he hasn't completed -- though outlined in his campaign last year -- are building a house of representatives and rectifying campus traffic problems.
He said he intends to appoint a senate committee next semester to research the interest level in a possible house of representatives. Rudolph said he will attend to traffic needs by addressing legislation about cross walks, speed bumps and school zones to Physical Plant and Planning.
Hampton said highlights of the senate's work over the semester include bills addressing dining services, recycling and mail services.
Adam Comer, junior political science major and speaker pro tempore in the senate, agreed.
"Our meeting with dining services was important," said Comer. "From it we were able to write legislation suggesting longer hours in the UC cafeteria, meal plans that may be used at all dining locations and outdoor picnic tables."
Hampton said minor provisions have been made to their website this semester, but students can look forward to a brand new site next semester that will include posted traffic appeals and a catalog of legislation.
Hampton said The U of M made a good showing at this year's Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislation, which was held last month.
Hampton was elected speaker of the TISL House of Representatives, and Adam Comer was named Secretary of State.
With 23 students attending, the U of M was the largest delegation present -- and of the 91 pieces of legislation presented, 43 were drafted by U of M members.
Hampton said he is satisfied with what the senate completed this semester.
"Things really picked up toward the end of the semester," he said. "They always do, because by then senators start to feel more comfortable with senate procedure."
